Episode 18 - Key of Light is born! The galaxy shines again.

A string of dimly glowing orbs floated in the corridor of Obsidian Castle. The sailor soldiers followed quickly, knowing full well that it was the path the enemy intended them to follow. It was not long before they came to the great doors of Opalite's throne room. The dim orbs had followed them, leaving the halls behind them dark, but casting an eerie glow upon the entrance. There were no words between the five women, only a quiet nod of recognition as they looked upon one another. This moment had been long awaited and now they stood, summoning their final courage as they passed through the doors.

Inside, the found the empress sitting on a monstrous, black throne. Her hair draped over her shoulders and trailed down around her feet. As the orbs cast their light on her pale body, they beheld her face. She appeared annoyed by their presence, but not surprised. "And so it happens again, as it does over and over, without end," Opalite muttered.

The soldiers looked to Sailor Balder in confusion. She only shrugged her shoulders, being just as confused by the enemy's muttering as they were. "Empress Opalite!" shouted Sailor Tyr. "We have come to avenge our home and people."

"You destroyed our world and the countless worlds of others. We can never forgive you!" Sailor Ran continued.

Opalite's gaze shifted to the orange haired woman in the sailor suit. Her eyes reflected the contempt for the woman before her. "So, Commander Calcite, you have returned to fight," she spat venomously.

She stood to her feet and released a blast of black energy from her hand. Balder was flung backward and she prepared herself for the inevitable impact with the wall. The screams from her comrades were lost as she was swallowed up by the darkness of the wall. "You shall stay there until I am ready for you, traitor," the empress sneered.

Sailor Moon and Sailor Yoake ran to where their friend disappeared and cried to her as they pounded against the wall. It had become solid once again. The sailor soldiers shrieked as they felt themselves falling into the floors. Opalite smiled as she turned to them. "Don't think I forgot about all of you. I wouldn't want my former commander to be lonely while she waits for her death."

Her silvery hair caught the moon light from the window. Though the curtains were drawn, her very being seemed to capture and reflect any light that stole into the room, but in all her brilliance, Neo Queen Serenity was not radiant. Inside, darkness was slowly creeping around her heart, trying to take hold of her... trying to take her away from her beloved. She felt fourteen again, young and scared of the darkness. She crawled onto the bed and embraced her husband, wishing that he could hold her once more and whisper those encouraging words that always kept her going. "Endymion," she sobbed, clutching onto his chest.

She sat up and wiped the tears from her face. The queen knew she was stronger than this. It was the man before her that had taught her that so many years ago. Serenity reached forward and rested the palm of her hand on his chest. A golden light appeared under her hand and as she moved away, the light slowly lifted. A crystal hovered above the king, it's light was dim. Panic fell upon her as she recognized the severity of his condition. Suddenly, a hand grasped onto her own. Endymion's sleeping face reflected his deep pain and Serenity knew he was trying his hardest not to let go.

Helios kneeled before a white crystal alter and he offered his prayers to the safety of his beloved and all that she fought to protect. He clenched his hands together tightly as he felt his energy slowly diminishing. As Earth continued to loose this battle, he and all connected with the blue planet were hurled further into inevitable death. Only a miracle could restore the light of this world now and all he could do was continue to pray.

Tektites watched from inside the barrier as the charon continued to eat away at the planet and wondered silently if his hope for this star system had been in vain. Everything was growing darker, even the sky and the moon. The only light that was not diminished was that of the castle, but that too would soon crumble and cease to exist in Opalite's void. As he looked to the sky above him, his thoughts turned to the orange haired beauty who had made his heart believe. "The only thing I can do now is trust in her and the others. Please, protect this planet!"

In the darkness, the sailor soldiers sat in absolute quiet. Their breathing was the only melody and even that seemed to be swallowed up in this place. Sailor Balder sat beside her queen. The frail woman before her lie unconscious and unmoving. She cursed herself for her failure, but said nothing. Sailor Moon crawled closer to them, fumbling and tripping in the dark. When she finally found her way, the princess smiled gently, consoling the soldier in silence.

The walls opened and before she could utter any protest, the moon soldier was pulled from the prison along with her comrades. When Sailor Moon felt herself released of the invisible power, she ran to Sailor Yoake who was finally coming out of her sleep. Realizing her friends were not with her, she frantically eyed the room. She spun around to find the women trapped halfway into the wall. Opalite laughed as the walls of her castle became transparent, revealing the Earth's sun burning with fury, almost in defiance of the empress's plan. "This is the end!"

A violent rumbling shook the very foundation of the Sun Palace and the elemental soldiers ran to one another. Their world, hidden under the sun's fiery coat, was being torn apart. Hyperion's eyes grew wide with fear. The guardian of light knew that this attack could not be stopped. She fell into the arms of her guard, Alpha Centauri as the ground beneath them shook harder. The structures of the palace began to collapse and large chunks of debris began to crash around them.

Sailor Moon felt a faint cry within her heart as if even from this distance she could hear those on the star. In an instant it was silenced as the Black Hole began to steal the light from the sun. The sailor soldier screamed out in terror. Her head hung in defeat and in a small, cracked voice she spoke. "Why? Why do you wish this darkness on everyone?"

A deep sign of fatigue escaped from the empress as she looked to the pitiful girl before her. "Because I am tired of this.... the happiness and sadness of living. It has made me weary and because of this I shall end everything."

"Life is not so horrible, is it?" The teary-eyed princess choked out.

"Such a young star lies within your breast, just a child in this grand play. There is no way you could possibly understand me or the feelings within me. Repeating throughout the ages, the war between light and dark is never ending. No matter how hard you fight, how much you hope, it shall never end!" Opalite clutched onto her shoulders, as if she was deeply pained by the thought.

For a moment she stared at the pink haired soldier, and her eyes were battleworn and sad. Sailor Moon suddenly felt a deep pity for this woman, though she could not explain why. Then Opalite broke off her gaze, feeling the child's unspoken compassion trying to penetrate the darkness within her. A small, satisfied smile rested on the face of the empress. "There is nothing more you can do, little one. I will become the final sailor soldier of the galaxy, Sailor Omega! This soldier of death has come to end it all."

"The final sailor soldier? Sailor Omega?!" Sailor Moon gasped.

Sailor Yoake stood to her feet, her delicate frame resting on her companion's arm. Together they watched as the empress's dress melted away to reveal the uniform of Sailor Omega. "You know," she started, "I was once a sailor soldier bearing the duty of a planet's guardian. My Sailor Crystal has endured, each time in a new body and a new life. In the beginning, when I was young like you, I was happy to continue to live, to be reborn and protect my world. However, this star has grown old and wishes to finally have rest. The only way for that to happen is to end everything, to become the final sailor soldier, who brings the end of everything."

A dark red orb glowed in the sky of Earth as the world around them grew dark. With the sun fading out of existence, being swallowed up by the void, all was lost. The barrier that was once protecting the crystal palace disintegrated and the charon flew forth. All who were still standing fell dead as the void pierced their hearts. All light was disappearing, if not already gone.

Serenity watched as the Golden Crystal hovering over her husband's chest grew solid black. His hand that had once been holding on to her own for strength went limp. The queen screamed out in horror as her eyes became vacant and lost. Long translucent wings suddenly sprouted from her back as the Silver Crystal appeared before her chest. She released no more sound as the light from the crystal grew dull, but squeezed her beloved's hand one more time. Then she fell over him, limp as a rag doll.

Sailor Omega laughed wildly, her eyes crazed. Ran, Tyr, and Balder struggled to escape, but to no avail. Sailor Moon fell to her knees, crying helplessly. "Mama, Papa.... everyone! Noooo!"

"I know..." Sailor Omega comforted, "I have fallen to this same pain more times that I can count. The loss of friends, family, your loved ones. The pain is overwhelming.... but this time, it is necessary. I shall end the pain, and never again will you or I have to feel such loss."

The princess found she was crying so hard she was gasping for breath. Sailor Yoake felt her own tears begin to fall. She began to step forward, but the crazed woman before her only laughed. "At one time the Yoakezuishou might have stopped me, but now there is nothing you can do. Without the wondrous key there is nothing you might do."

Balder's heart pounded within her chest. Hope was swiftly draining from her. "Why isn't the Key appearing?" she screamed silently. Mustering her strength she managed to choke out a pitiful plea. "Eos-sama..." Ran and Tyr looked to their friend and then back to the battle before them, helpless against the enemy in their wall imprisonment.

Above her crying, Sailor Moon heard a familiar voice. It was gentle, deep, and soothing. "Hope is not yet lost, my beautiful maiden. Fight to save the Earth... Sailor moon!"

"Helios!" she screamed silently. "You're right. I will not abandon hope. I am Sailor Moon and I will protect this planet in the name of the Moon!"

"Alpha-Omega Moon Blast!" she screamed as she held her hands out. The Pink Moon Crystal appeared before her and emitted a brilliant light.

Countering the assault, the death soldier whispered loudly her own attack. "Oroborous Duality Void!"

The moon soldier felt herself being pushed back by Omega's power. It was much too strong for her as she knew it would be. She just could not give up. If anything she would at least die trying to stop this horrible power. From behind her two gentle arms steadied her own. It was Sailor Yoake, lending her strength. Her own crystal appeared, shining with white-yellow brilliance. Their two crystals resonated with each other and before then a golden staff appeared. "The Key of Light!" growled Sailor Omega over the buzz of energy filling the room.

Sailor Moon turned her head slightly as Yoake spoke. "It is the key to the light of the universe, Sailor Moon. Take it and we shall beat back this foe!" In a lower voice, the dawn soldier whispered in her ear. "It only appears to those strong of heart, those who would selflessly give everything of themselves to protect what they love. That is why it would not appear to me, I abandoned my world in the very end, but you, Sailor Moon, have bore your courageous heart to the very end."

As she touched the staff, the glow increased and completed negated the power of Omega's attack. When the brilliance lessened, Sailor Moon found herself dressed in a pure white uniform. An iridescent shine fell over her. "You are wrong," Sailor Yoake voiced as she turned her eyes to Sailor Omega.

The long lavender hair trailed behind her as Omega crept closer to her enemy. She seemed to be disconnected from herself, unheeding any words that came to her. Yoake only stood her ground and continued as the woman approached. "No matter how bad things have gotten, there are those that would have stood by you... that are still standing by you somewhere, in some form."

"Sailor Moon," Yoake signaled, with a gentle squeeze of her comrade's arms.

In unison, the two women held tightly to the Key of Light and shouted with all the power remaining within them. "Borealis Shine!!"

The Key released a powerful blast of energy, causing the walls around them to crack. As the light intensified, the structures of Obsidian began to break and the three sailor soldiers once trapped in the wall fell free of their prison. The Black Hole released it's grasp on the Earth and Sun, then deteriorated as the light slowly filled more and more of the void. Sailor Omega screamed out in anger as a large crack formed in her chest. "Not again," she yelled, falling to her knees, "not again! I do not wish for this fate anymore. I want to be released!"

Then, she heard something she though impossible. "Sailor Omega.... no, our queen of the Nova system...."

Sailor Omega turned to see three female figures, mere ghosts unseen to others in the room, but her beloved friends none-the-less. The ghost closest to her, demure in stature, spoke to her. "We have stood by you through many lifetimes, my lady. Though we died by your hand, we have never hated you. Perhaps if we had tried to understand your pain..."

"Sailor Moon, we must get out of here," Yoake urged. "This place will soon fall completely."

They joined the other women and transported away, leaving the empress alone with her ghosts. Instead of silence, loud rumbling could be heard everywhere. The Black Hole was no longer able to protect her from light and sound. Her sailor soldiers, kneeled beside her. "It's alright. We will stand by you again if you wish it of us," said one.

The empress merely shook her head. "I thank you all, but I just want to rest."

"We will guide your star to the heart of the Galaxy Cauldron and there, beg the guardian to melt your star into the sea of origin."

A tired smile appeared on Omega's face. She felt happy knowing her friends would be with her in the end. As these thoughts filled her mind, she was struck by a large black piece of the falling ceiling and buried beneath it.

Sailor Moon feared what she would see when she returned to her home. Though the Black Hole was destroyed, she did not know what had become of her loved ones. She found that her dried and burning eyes could offer no more tears. Her fears, however, were quickly silenced as their transport was complete and they were greeting with loud rejoining from a large crowd. As she received warm embraces from so many people, she searched for her friends. Finally, her eyes rested on the white hair and smiling face of her beloved. It was only moments before they were in each others arms. "Helios!" she cooed. "Thank you."

He looked at her questioningly. "Your love saved me up there," she whispered to him as she clutched on to him tighter.

"Your strength saved all of us," Helios whispered back.

Bouncing through the crowd came four colorfully clad women. "Ceres! Juno! Pallas! Vesta!" Sailor Moon rejoiced as she received a group hug from her friends. It was more than she could have ever hoped for.

More and more people came forward, thanking the group and cheering happily. However, Sailor Moon could not seem to find two people. She had thought by now they would have come forward. It made her feel panicked and saddened at the same time. Could it be that it was too late, their victory was too late to save everyone? She was so caught up in her thoughts that she did not realize the crowd quieting into a low mumble at first. It was only when she heard the familiar, gentle voice behind her that she realized the world around her again. "Sailor Moon," came the cooing voice.

She could not believe it, but then another voice, this time masculine, spoke. "Thank you."

The princess raised her head to find the king and queen before her, glowing softly in the light pouring down from the white yellow sun high above. "Mama.... Papa..." she barely voiced.

Both of them were caught in her embrace and she held on to them with all her might, not wanting to let go. It was finally over and things would finally be okay. Together they would all go on living and their world would be safe.

After a large feast and endless hours of celebration throughout the night, ten figures stood together. The dawn was swiftly approaching. Sailor Moon, Ceres, Vesta, Juno, and Pallas stood together with the alien sailor soldiers facing them, Tektites by the orange haired soldier's side. "We are returning to our place in the galaxy. Home awaits us," the queen smiled contently.

Sailor Moon looked down for a moment, the met the gaze of the dawn soldier. "Do you suppose Opalite be born again?"

"I am uncertain of that. No one can truly say for sure, but I pray that in the next life she will be stronger."

The first light of the rising sun kissed the land and as it rose up behind the alien soldiers they disappeared. Sailor Moon and her friends waved good-bye, and then returned to the castle where the others were waiting for them.

End.